COLUMBUS, OH – Ansonia’s Bennett Lehman knocks off the two-time defending state champion in boys cross country and it all started last year right after the OHSAA DIII 2024 boys state cross country meet won by Luke Snyder of Rittman.
This year the OHSAA created a 4th division with both Ansonia and Rittman schools dropping down to DIV and so Luke Snyder would still loom large according to assistant coach Allen Newbauer serving as motivation for 2025.
“After Luke Snyder won back-to-back state titles, coming into this season, we knew he was the man to beat. So literally, every week, whether during track, during the offseason, during the winter, we talked about what’s going on with him. We watched his strengths, weaknesses, looked at times and race results, trying to exploit areas we can utilize Bennett’s strengths verses his weaknesses and it was just a battle out there today,” Newbauer explained.
“The goal today was to stay with him and then when Bennett felt it was the right time to really open it up to go for it,” Newbauer added.
When Bennett entered the stadium he was all by himself after running neck and neck for nearly 2.5 miles both jockeying back and forth for the lead, but Bennett entered the chute alone for the last 100 yards with Snyder about 30-40 yards behind.
Although Bennett had a good lead he wasn’t taking anything for granted until he crossed the finish line.
“I was still nervous I was going to get chased down. But, you know, it was one of those things, hearing the crowd here and all the people just really brings your energy up. I didn’t have a whole lot left, but they gave me all the energy I needed to go finish the race and it was awesome,” Bennett exclaimed
After all the ceremonial podium presentations, interviews, hugs with family, teammates, coaches and fans, Bennett took some time to talk about his experience and keys to winning the race that started 12 months ago.
“It starts with the early mornings and the long days, my teammates being there for me all the time, my coaches giving me good workouts always pushing me to be better. My family and all the people that came here today to just support me and made the long drive. It really means a lot to me,” Bennett stated.
“The key is I trusted in my abilities, and I don’t think I could have raced any better. You know, the first mile we went through I was just trying to get settled in, trying to find my rhythm. The mindset was stick and stay with him as long as you can. Last year right about the two mile is when I dropped off. I didn’t really know when he was going to try and go, when he was going to try and make his move.
I kept up stayed on him using less energy out there coming up the hill where it would be the deciding point to make my move, do I feel good enough to go? The answer was yes, I was able to power up the hill, and I never looked back from there.
We’ve been working on our kick for a long time now. Using 800-meter sprints for the stretch.
It was good to come out and compete against such a great field and stand on top of the podium at the end of the day,” Bennett stated.
To get here Bennett Lehman logged an incredible number of miles.
“You know, through the summer, we’re hitting anywhere from 70 to 90 miles a week running everyday putting in the miles with my coach (Newbauer) and my teammates throughout the season. There were some weeks so hot in the high 90s, but most of the time we still stayed between 60 to 80 miles per week. I think my biggest months were August and September with 365 miles each month.
Bennett logged enough miles to cross the United States from east to west and north to south over the last year.
“All the miles and all the time, now I can take a deep breath realizing it all paid off,” Lehman said.
The payoff was knocking off the two-time defending state champion to become the first state champion ever in the inaugural DIV event, while also establishing the course record as well in a time of 15:17.91 in the division.
“This event has been circled for a long, long time now. So, it was good to come here and do what we planned to do for 12 months,” Bennett said.
I asked if he now plans to sleep in or take some time off.
“Yeah, I’m taking a few days off, then we’re going to run at the Nike Cross Country Regional in Terre Haute. So, we’re going to keep training for that, then after that race, we’re going to take off for a little bit before we start training for indoor track this winter.
With all that running and stress placed on the body day in and day out, staying healthy is critical, and Bennett doesn’t take that lightly on what is often overlooked, being able to compete at a high level.
“You’ve got to take care of your body. You got to guard against injuries and against sickness,” he stated.
Does it help that your dad has a successful Chiropractic business to help keep you in alignment. Bennett chuckled and spoke. “Oh, yeah, I’m in his office a lot, it’s a good thing it’s free, because I would be bankrupt.”
“Your health doesn’t just happen by training, yes, running the miles is a big part … but being able to take care of your body and getting rest, I think is as big a skill. It starts by getting the sleep you need and fueling your body appropriately,” Bennett suggested
“Most of all, it’s important to enjoy what you do, to be a kid and have fun,” Bennett concluded.
If there was a poster boy for the old adage of work hard, play hard and success will follow, well Bennett Lehman would be on that poster.
He put in the hard work, played hard, and flashed that winning smile right up to the top of the podium, and now is a State Champion.
